Addis Abeba's Contemporary Art Scene: A Report from Ethiopia
Addis Abeba, the capital of Ethiopia, is witnessing a surge in contemporary art, despite facing challenges such as minimal government backing and a limited local market. Artists such as Dawit Abebe, who is represented by Kristin Hjellegjerde and collected by Charles Saatchi, delve into themes through works like Background Series and Quo Vadis?. Ephrem Solomon, recognized for his carved wood and mixed media, tackles political subjects in his artwork, including Forbidden Fruits. The Zoma Contemporary Art Centre, established by Elias Sime and Meskerem Assegued, is developing a new museum and offers international residencies. Notable commercial galleries include Asni Art Gallery, LeLa Art Gallery, and Addis Fine Art, while independent spaces like Netsa Art Village nurture emerging talent. Despite the obstacles, a burgeoning movement indicates potential change.
Key facts
- Addis Abeba is home to the UN Commission for Africa and the African Union.
- Dawit Abebe was included in Pangaea II: New Art From Africa and Latin America at Saatchi Gallery London in 2015.
- Ephrem Solomon's first grant came from Goethe-Institut in 2011.
- Elias Sime's work is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
- Zoma Contemporary Art Centre was built over eight years using mud and straw.
- Addis Fine Art was founded in 2016 by Mesai Haileleul and Rakeb Sile.
- Girma Berta has over 26,000 Instagram followers.
- Ethiopia's first pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale was in 2018.
Entities
Artists
- Dawit Abebe
- Ephrem Solomon
- Elias Sime
- Meskerem Assegued
- Konjit Seyoum
- Lilly Sahle
- Mesai Haileleul
- Rakeb Sile
- Girma Berta
- Addis Gezehagn
- Wosene Worke Kosrof
- Merikokeb Berhanu
- Mifta Zeleke
- Wanja Kimani
- Mahlet Afework
- Tewodros Hagos
- Tizita Berhanu
- Mulugeta Tafesse
- David Hammons
- Ernesto Novelo
- Gebre Kristos Desta
- Fasil Giorghi
- Charles Saatchi
- Kristin Hjellegjerde
- James Cohan
Institutions
- Saatchi Gallery
- Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery
- Tiwani Gallery
- James Cohan Gallery
- Zoma Contemporary Art Centre (ZCAC)
- Asni Art Gallery
- LeLa Art Gallery
- Addis Fine Art
- Gebre Kristos Desta Center
- Netsa Art Village
- Habesha Art Studio
- Guramayne Art Centre
- Guzo Art Studio
- Alliance Ethio-Française
- Goethe-Institut
- British Council
- Italian Institute of Culture
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Santa Monica Museum of Art
- Bale Mountains National Park
- Frankfurt Zoology Society
- Venice Architecture Biennale
- African Fashion Week New York
- Asiko Art School
- Addis Foto Fest
- 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair
- AKAA – Also Known As Africa
- FNB – Joburg Art Fair
- United Nations Commission for Africa
- African Union
- Artribune
Locations
- Addis Abeba
- Ethiopia
- London
- New York
- Venice
- Paris
- Johannesburg
- Los Angeles
- Bole
- Arat Kilo
- Merkato
- Lalibela
- Axum
- Corno d'Africa
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Kenya
- Congo
- Dubai